Last Updated on July 1, 2024 by admin
Are you starting your Kerala trip from it’s capital city Thiruvananthapuram and wondering what all to see and do? This blog covers the best things to do in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) so as to cover the best sightseeing in Trivandrum.
Of all the things to do in Kerala, Trivandrum doesn’t really feature on traveler’s list. The hall of fame is reserved by Kochi which is much more vibrant and attracts tourists. However, Trivandrum offers the perfect blend of the vibrancy of a heritage city with the serenity of a coastal town.
Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivandrum, is popular as the “Evergreen City of India” for being successful in adapting modern amenities without compromising on its natural surroundings. Everything from its zoo to museums, art galleries, religious sites, and open-air tourist hubs, you will see conscious efforts towards sustainability. Its pristine beaches, most prominent of them being the Kovalam Beach, are well-maintained and reflect eco-tourism ethos.
Some of the must-visit places of Kerala include the museums of Trivandrum, the iconic Lighthouse of Trivandrum and the Beach of Kovalam.
This comprehensive 3-Day Trivandrum Itinerary covers all the major attractions in Trivandrum at a comfortable pace so that you do not miss out on the fun factor.
Table of Contents
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR THIRUVANANTHAPURAM TRIP
Best time to visit Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram remains hot and humid all year round but winters (November to February) are by far the best time to visit Trivandrum as the weather is very pleasant. Summer in Trivandrum can get extremely hot and humid and temperatures begin to rise in March.
How to Reach Thiruvananthapuram
Being the capital city of Kerala and an important hub of trade and business, Thiruvanathapuram is well-connected with several cities of India.
By Air
Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport which is well connected with all the major cities of India and few countries especially the Gulf.
By Rail
Thiruvananthapuram district is well-connected with all the major cities of India. Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station is known as the largest and busiest railway station in South India when it comes to passenger movement.
By Road
National and state highways connect Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangalore and many other cities of Kerala. There are regular bus services from the major cities like Kochi, Bangalore, Madurai, Coimbatore and Chennai. Right from volvo buses to deluxe buses, many types of buses are run by KSRTC that connect Kerala to other neighbouring states.
Must try food in Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala food is a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals mostly cooked in coconut oil. Do try the delicacies like ‘appam-stew’, ‘puttu-kadala curry’, ‘Avial’ and ‘iddiyappam’ for breakfast or lunch. Just like the North-Indian thali, the Kerala thali is called sadya and is served traditionally on a banana leaf.
Where to stay in Thiruvananthapuram
Luxury: Hyatt Regency, Vivanta Thiruvananthapuram
Mid-Range: Hycinth Hotel
Budget: Nalinam Homestay
Hostel: Bed Pods
Where to Stay in Kovalam
Luxury: The Leela Kovalam, A Raviz Hotel | Taj Green Cove Resort and Spa Kovalam
Mid-Range: Uday Samudra Leisure Beach Hotel | The Travancore Heritage Beach Resort
Budget: Little Elephant Beach Resort
THINGS TO DO IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
On the first day of Trivandrum trip, it is best to start with exploring the Trivandrum city. Here are some of the suggestions.
Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple is a historic Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, renowned for its Dravidian architecture. This temple. Located at the heart of Trivandrum is one of the most revered “Divya Desam” or holy resting places of Lord Vishnu. The deity in the Srikovil, or inner sanctum, depicts Lord Vishnu in the “Anantha Shayanam’ posture, in which he lies on the body of Adi Shesha, the five-headed serpent.
To visit Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, visitors are required to follow a strict dress code. Men should wear a dhoti and no shirt, although you can have a shawl wrapped around your shoulders. Keep in mind that you are not allowed to wear pants underneath the dhoti, and you will be asked to remove it and leave it in the cloakroom if you do.
Women need to wear a saree or long skirt. Churidar and any form of Western clothing are strictly prohibited. If you are not dressed appropriately, you can buy a set mundu, or white dhoti, from the temple premises and wrap it around your waist. That will serve the purpose.
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Kuthiramalika Palace
Located very close to Sri Padmanabhaswamy is Kuthiramalika, the royal palace of the Travancore Kingdom that ruled mid to south Kerala from the 1700s to 1949. This palace, built in 1848 is a large building complex of several royal buildings with ornate woodwork and artistic splendour. “Kuthira” is the Malayalam word for “horse,” and so “Kuthiramalika” means, “the horse palace.” The palace is named so for the 122 wooden horses that adorn its ceiling brackets.
The Palace Museum offers a guided tour of a section of the palace. The exhibits here include a fascinating collection of royal artifacts, including paintings, sculptures, weapons, and musical instruments. Among its most notable exhibits are the Belgian mirrors and the elaborately carved wooden ceilings depicting various scenes from the Puranas.
Outside the main palace building, there is another museum, Chithralayam Art Gallery, that acts as an art and photo gallery. The exhibits here showcase painted portraits of several members of the royal family and also photographs of important historical events pertaining to the Travancore royals.
By the time you finish your exploration of Kuthiramalika Palace, it will be noon and if you fancy a simple homely, vegetarian meal, check out the palace cafeteria. If not, head to Priyadarshini Planetarium on NH66 and you will find all kinds of restaurants on the way.
Priyadarshini Planetarium
Priyadarshini Planetarium, with the associated Kerala State Science & Technology Museum, is one of the best educational sites to visit in Trivandrum. If you are an Indian, then as you step inside this planetarium, you will be filled with a sense of pride as some of the models of satellites and rockets you see here were launched into outer space from a launch station located just a few kilometers from you.
The planetarium features a state-of-the-art projection system that simulates the night sky, to narrate the stories of astronomical phenomena, space missions, and the latest discoveries in space science. The Kerala Science and Technology Museum has a section that narrates the history and evolution of Indian space science. Another section offers several interactive exhibits that aim to explain complex scientific phenomena to you with fun experiments.
Shangumugham Beach
Finally, head to Shangumugham Beach, the most happening beach in Trivandrum city, for some spectacular sunset photography. In the evening, the beach lights up with local and foreign tourists alike. There are several clean food joints by the beach for light snacks. The park benches installed by the beach are all you need to sit back and watch the sun go down.
There is more to Shangumugham Beach than its scenic beauty. It is culturally significant due to the presence of the giant statue of Sagarakanyaka (Jalakanyaka or Mermaid) created by the renowned sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman. This 35-meter-long sculpture adds a unique artistic element to the beach and has come to be the identity of this beach.
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Trivandrum Zoo
Trivandrum Zoo is the largest and most well-maintained zoo in Kerala. While most zoos keep the wild in dark, dingy cells where you see animals that seem to have lost their will to live, Trivandrum Zoo has large, open enclosures with nature-mimicking habitats. This means you can see the likes of lions and tigers roaming freely in their enclosures, making your visit worth it.
The zoo has a large population of animals, birds, reptiles, aquatic creatures, and feline varieties. There is a lot to explore here so plan to reach here by 9:00 am, when it opens. Expect to spend 3-4 hours in the zoo as that is how long it would take to cover the vast area.
Outside food is not allowed in, but there is a canteen inside that serves tea and snacks in reusable cutleries as a measure to reduce plastic litter. You will be surprised at how clean and green this zoo is, situated in the very heart of Trivandrum city.
After you are done exploring the zoo, head to the main canteen outside the zoo for your lunch. It will be packed as most people who visit the zoo end up having lunch here to explore the other attractions in the zoo complex.
Zoo Complex Museums
There are several museums in the Trivandrum Zoo complex and you may not be able to see them all in a single day as they close at 4:45 pm. So, I am going to guide you here on the two must-visit museums in the zoo complex.
Start with Sri Chitra Art Gallery, located closest to the canteen. Here you will find paintings by several international painters depicting different styles of paintings like the Russian, Chinese, and Indonesian. The Indian collections include Tanjaur paintings, Rajputana paintings, and the original paintings of Raja Ravi Varma of Kerala.
Next, head to Napier Museum, the largest and oldest museum in Kerala. This museum located in a beautiful garden is a Gothic-style architectural marvel in red sandstone, with blue and white geometric patterns. This is an archaeological museum with ancient sculptures, bronze idols, traditional musical instruments, and ceremonial masks. The museum also features a several ivory carvings, temple chariots, and historical coins. After exploring the museum, you can relax in the park surrounding it.
Other Museums in the complex are the Museum of Natural History, Keralam: Museum of History and Heritage, KCS Panicker Art Gallery, and Swathi Thirunal Art Gallery.
Vetticaud Church
If you have time and if you are not exhausted after all that walking, head to Vetticaud Church, also known as Madre De Deus Church. This church located on the shores of Vetticaud Beach is the largest and most beautiful church in Trivandrum. It is also a pilgrim center attracting devotees from all over Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
After spending a few minutes of prayer or reflecting in the church, head to Vetticaud Beach to watch the sunset. Have your dinner at one of the beach-facing restaurants here and wrap your trip to the music of waves crashing against the rocks.
PLACES TO VISIT NEAR THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – KOVALAM
No visit to Thiruvananthapuram is complete without a visit to Kovalam. Located 45-minute drive from Trivandrum city, visitors can choose to stay in either in Kovalam or Trivandrum. Staying in Trivandrum for the whole trip is hassle-free, but a night in a beach-facing stay in Kovalam can be a refreshing experience.
The best places to visit in Kovalam are Azhimala Shiva Temple, Sagarika Marine Research Aquarium, Kovalam Lighthouse, and the famous Kovalam Beach.
Azhimala Shiva Temple
At about 1 hour drive from Trivandrum and at 8 kilometers down south from Kovalam, lies a beautiful temple, the Azhimala Shiva Temple. This temple, perched on a scenic cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea, is famous for its magnificent 58-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva.
This statue of Lord Shiva in a meditative pose is made by a local sculptor with intricate carving and fine detailing. The adjacent Azhimala Beach is a calm and secluded beach where you can spend some alone time while enjoying a simple breakfast from the sea-facing temple canteen.
Sagarika Marine Research Aquarium
As you make your way to Kovalam Beach from Azhimala Shiva Temple, the first stop to hop over is the Sagarika Marine Research Aquarium. This is a small aquarium, but given its proximity to Kovalam Beach and also its nominal entry fee (Rs. 20 per adult), this is definitely worth a visit.
Visitors will find here many species of multi-colored aquatic life, local and exotic, swimming in large glass enclosures. The information displayed alongside the tanks is a great help in understanding the types and specialties of the organisms.
Kovalam Lighthouse
The next stop in Kovalam is the iconic red and white striped Kovalam Lighthouse that has become the landmark of Kovalam. Standing 118 feet tall, this lighthouse is situated atop Kurumkal Hill, offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea, the coastline, and the lush greenery surrounding it.
This Kovalam Lighthouse is one of the few lighthouses in the country with a lift. You can go up to a level by the lift and then climb just two flights of stairs to reach the top for a spectacular view.
Kovalam Beach
Kovalam Beach, the most popular Kerala beach among international tourists, is where you are going to have the most fun in this Trivandrum Kovalam trip. This beach with its crescent shape has an inlet of shallow waters making it the perfect beach for swimming and surfing. You can also engage in water sports like speedboating, banana boating, parasailing, and jet-skiing.
The shore is lined by a vibrant market with some great restaurants and cafes. Beatles Cafe & Grill House and The Crow’s Nest Café are two popular beach-side cafes. For a taste of local Keralan seafood, head to Ustaad Hotel by the beach.
Kovalam Beach has an active nightlife. Several of the cafes here offer live performances and organize events during weekends. You will also find many vibrant pubs and restobars in the vicinity.
Kovalam Houseboat
Spending a night in the Kovalam houseboat is one of the most popular tourist activities in Thiruvananthapuram. Book a traditional houseboat that is made out of reed, cork, and bamboo. Cruising with Kovalam Houseboat Tours is a great way to spend time in Kovalam backwaters. One can lounge around watching the sunset or villagers going about their way. The cruise offers unparalleled views of backwaters.
SUSTAINBLE TIPS FOR THINGS TO DO IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
- Choose eco-friendly accommodations that make conscious efforts towards sustainability.
- Avoid takeouts in plastic containers and eat in restaurants instead.
- Avoid littering the beaches and zoo complex, use the trash cans.
- Follow the dress code and other guidelines when visiting religious sites like the Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
Read More Kerala posts:
- Kerala Backwaters of Alleppey
- Human by Nature: Impressions from Kerala
- Places to visit in Thekkady
- Eravikulam National Park
- Periyar National Park
- Things to do in Munnar
- Glamping in Munnar
- Chendamangalam Handlooms
- Responsible Tourism in Kumarakom
- Trekking in Munnar
Author Bio
Ashley Antony is a researcher and travel blogger at Plan Ashley Go where she writes detailed travel guides for budget family travel planning. She is a native of Kerala. Having lived in its towns and explored both its popular and hidden gems, she is a local expert in traveling in Kerala.
Disclaimer – This post contains affiliate links. It means it adds no extra cost to you if you book through the link but I get a referral bonus which helps me earn a little to keep this website up and running.
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